SAN ANTONIO — If a strained hamstring keeps Tony Parker out of the lineup for Game 4, Cory Joseph won’t be thrown into a totally new experience.

When Parker sprained his ankle and missed eight games in March, Joseph moved into the starting lineup and the Spurs won six times.

“I’ve got confidence from that other time when Tony was out and confidence from all the work I’ve put in to get to here,” said the second-year point guard. “At this point, I haven’t heard anything. But no matter how much time I get, I’m just gonna go out there and play hard and try to bring my team energy, because that’s what I do.

Joseph had volunteered several times early in the season to go down to NBA D League Austin Toros to get playing time and work on his game.

“I could have just sat here and worked in practice,” he said. “But playing 1-on-1 and 3-on-3 is not the same as real playing time. You can’t simulate game action. So I have nothing but high praise for everything about the D-League that helped me improve and put myself in this situation.”

In those eight games that Joseph started for Parker in March, he averaged more than 20 minutes, 6.9 points and 3.3 assists per game.

“I can’t tell you how much or how little he’s going to play (in Game 4),” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. “I can always count on him being a competitor in every way, shape and form every night. That’s what we like about him.”

10 Comments

Cory is a bulldog, he has the type of energy to get “Robin” spent on the defensive end and provide superior defense as well. I also believe that each player that has scored over twenty points at least once this year would love to do so on this stage and at this time. I say our Big Three are our insurance policy, let the other guys play, they’re not the same since those few weeks ago without four of the teams big rotation players. Their confidence is through the roof, DeJuan wants to play. Matty wants to play, Gary and Cory. Patty and Tracy along with Boris, Nando and Aron. I myself would love to see the Big Three just relax and maybe give Timmy a few minutes. But Tony needs to just trust the system and remember to chill out and talk to Cory at every break.

[…] Spurs' Joseph Prepared For His Close-up SAN ANTONIO — If a strained hamstring keeps Tony Parker out of the lineup for Game 4, Cory Joseph won't be thrown into a totally new experience. When Parker sprained his ankle and missed eight games in March, Joseph moved into the starting lineup … Read more on NBA.com (blog) […]

Parker is the Spurs best player and will have to be the finals mvp for the spurs to win. I can’t see the role players continue to have hot shooting nights like they did in game 3. Manu has to also step up.

Spurs are deep and could also turn to Mills and De Colo. They are quick and fresh and could be a new problem for he Heat’s D. The problem is that they will not be as much of a focus point for Miami and the outside shooters would not be as open. Ball movement might be less effective too.

Big Al you stand corrected, you didn’t see him take Chris The BirdMan Anderson on, took it straight to him and used his body to keep the Bird Unit away, he made the shot! The Bird is pissed off now and that is good, cuz pissed off players are stupid.